If Park Bank is liable for not spotting Sujata "Sue" Sachdeva's $34 million embezzlement from Koss Corp. and has to reimburse the company, Koss Chief Executive Michael Koss should also be ordered to personally pay the public company he runs, the bank argues in a new lawsuit.

Grant Thornton, Koss Corp.'s former auditor, should also have to pay a portion of any award that may be ordered, Park Bank argued in the latest twist in a long-running court fight stemming from Sachdeva's massive embezzlement.

"Park Bank denies any and all liability to Koss in this case," the bank said in its action. "Nevertheless, should Park Bank be found liable to Koss (Corp.) and required to pay damages to Koss, in this case, those damages will have been the result of a common liability of Park Bank, Michael Koss and Grant Thornton, thereby entitling Park Bank to (a) contribution from Michael Koss and Grant Thornton."(10)

On the Senate floor, Sen. Kohl says goodbye

In his farewell speech after 24 years in the U.S. Senate, U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) thanked his fellow senators, his staff in Washington and Milwaukee, and the people of Wisconsin.

"I rise today for one final time to address the Senate," Kohl began in his short address, which lasted less than five minutes. "My remarks will be brief and actually I want to say one thing, 'Thank you.'"

He said he wished he could say thank you with the eloquence of such storied senators as Dale Bumpers of Arkansas; Robert Byrd of West Virginia; and Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts.

"What a privilege it has been to serve with such men," he said, "and with so many other men and women who have made up this body for the last 24 years."

He called them friends, advisers and sometimes adversaries. But he said they all did what they felt they had to do for the betterment of the nation.

He said the Senate is often referred to as a family. Kohl said he felt that way about his staff, some of whom have worked with him for years.

"Perhaps what I will miss the most upon leaving the Senate is coming to work every day, here in Washington and in Wisconsin, with such a bright, creative, dedicated group of people, constantly focused on what is best for our nation and our state, challenging and pushing me to be the best senator I could be.

"You cannot be a cynic about the future of this country when you work in an office like mine and have the privilege to interact with generations of intelligent, civic-minded and loyal staffers. And so I thank them all for making a hard job not just easy but enjoyable and for serving the people tirelessly and exceedingly well."

He also thanked the people of Wisconsin. He said they welcomed his immigrant mother and father to Wisconsin and allowed the Kohl family to grow and thrive.

"Thank you for taking a chance on me in that first election 24 years ago and renewing my contract three more times," he said.

He said he and his staff had worked hard for all Wisconsinites. "Every Wisconsinite had an ally and an advocate in us," he said.

"I thank you all one last time. And I yield the floor," he said.

Kohl, who took office in 1989, will end his term on Jan. 2. When he completes his term, he will be Wisconsin’s second-longest serving U.S. senator, along with former Sen. Alexander Wiley. Wiley also served as a U.S. senator for 24 years.

Former Sen. William Proxmire, who served from 1957 to 1989, is Wisconsin’s longest-serving senator. Proxmire died in 2005.

Kohl, 77, serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he is second in seniority, the Senate Banking Committee, the Senate Appropriations Committee, and is chairman of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee.

Kohl also is chairman of the Special Committee on Aging.

Sen.-Elect Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat, will be sworn in as Wisconsin’s next senator next month. Baldwin defeated Republican Tommy Thompson for the seat.